Tsunoda was labelled a fast but slightly inconsistent hothead upon his F1 arrival in 2021 at the tender age of 20, going viral because of his expletive-laden radio messages.
But with it being easier to calm a fast driver down than it is to make a consistently average driver faster, both the team and Tsunoda's Honda backers kept supporting him as he matured into a tidy, well-rounded racer. Aboard an uncompetitive car, he delivered his best season to date in 2023, proving right outgoing team boss Franz Tost's adage that a young driver needs three seasons to properly adjust to F1.
